A month on, doubts mount about police search for fugitive Freeman:
A month into the high country search for alleged Porepunkah gunman Dezi Freeman ...
abc.net.au/news/2025-09-26/porepunkah-gunman-dezi-freeman-shooting-latest/105806284
Photo: abc.net.au · view article
Former detective questions long-term Freeman manhuntAfter one month, authorities had no confirmed sightings despite hundreds of tips and a $1 million reward.
Key FactsSep 25, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: abc.net.au
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: abc.net.au
- One month has passed since Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart were shot dead in north-east Victoria.
- Retired Victoria Police detective Charlie Bezzina estimates the costs could reach several million dollars and considers an indefinite operation unsustainable because of its resource demands.
- Former investigator Alex Krstic says Freeman may be sheltered by someone or dead in the bush, while considering an eventual discovery likely if Freeman is alive.
- Police continue to offer a safe surrender plan through triple-0, but criminologist Liam Gillespie considers it unlikely to work because of Freeman’s claimed sovereign-citizen ideology.
It could remain a mystery for the rest of our lives if no remains are found or sightings emerge.— Charlie Bezzina, a retired Victoria Police homicide detective, said, commenting on the sustainability of the costly manhunt.
Story Details
| Last Updated | |
| Total Articles | 2 |
Main Topics
News on this topic
Dezi Freeman manhunt hits grim milestone: It's been a month to the day since two police officers were shot dead at the accused killer's home.
9news.com.au/national/dezi-freeman-manhunt-hits-one-month-mark-porepunkah-victoria/b46713df-9003-4ddb-8fc7-b5b451439e5f
Similar to This
Previous
Dezi Freeman and Helen Haines’ alleged attacker needed mental health help before attacks. None came
smh.com.au/politics/federal/dezi-freeman-and-helen-haines-alleged-attacker-needed-mental-health-help-before-attacks-none-came-20261024-p617s3.html
‘Brown snake bit him’: Manhunt claim: A criminologist has offered insight into the renewed search for fugitive and alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman ...
news.com.au/national/victoria/crime/fanciful-criminologist-reveals-theories-in-manhunt-for-alleged-cop-killer-dezi-freeman/news-story/fb1d3b72b23d1e60e29b60057f50c969
No sign of fugitive Dezi Freeman as latest search ends in national park: Detectives say they will not give up on finding Victorian fugitive Dezi Freeman ...
abc.net.au/news/2026-02-06/latest-dezi-freeman-manhunt-ends-at-mount-buffalo/106312280
Victorian police reveal they 'strongly believe' fugitive Dezi Freeman is dead: Victoria Police will spend five days scouring a remote section of Mount Buffalo ...
abc.net.au/news/2026-02-02/renewed-search-for-dezi-freeman-porepunkah/106292790
Cops give update in search for Dezi Freeman: Police have completed a new targeted search for wanted fugitive and alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman in Victoria’s ...
news.com.au/national/victoria/crime/victoria-police-give-update-in-search-for-wanted-fugitive-dezi-freeman/news-story/03220afdfd9e5f4533d60ace64386fa3
Single gunshot could end Dezi manhunt: Police in Victoria have reportedly fired dozens of shots into bushland surrounding Mount Buffalo in a renewed high-tech ...
news.com.au/national/victoria/crime/small-detail-that-could-lead-police-to-accused-double-murderer-dezi-freeman/news-story/7592bf9ad543763b7f4d8aeec02ed86a
As Dezi Freeman search goes on, Porepunkah businesses wait for government support
abc.net.au/news/2025-10-03/porepunkah-business-waiting-financial-support-dezi-freeman/105845384
Specialist search teams deployed near Benalla in search for Dezi Freeman: Police are continuing the search for alleged gunman Dezi Freeman, deploying search ...
abc.net.au/news/2025-10-01/fugitive-gunman-dezi-freeman-search-continues/105841044
Police scale back manhunt for accused cop killer Dezi Freeman after month of searching
9news.com.au/national/porepunkah-shooting-updates-police-on-ground-in-victoria-high-country-scaled-back/7f7d1111-8fb2-45d4-9d19-fbdae95adab5
Dezi Freeman search at Porepunkah now Australia's largest tactical police deployment
abc.net.au/news/2025-09-14/dezi-freeman-porepunkah-shooting-search-new-zealand-travellers/105771638
Elderly Porepunkah woman left without in-home care as Freeman manhunt continues: Elderly residents of Porepunkah have had their home nurse visits cancelled as ...
abc.net.au/news/2025-09-13/alleged-police-killer-manhunt-disrupts-elderly-in-home-care/105761728
Australian state posts A$1 million reward for fugitive gunman: Australian authorities offered a A$1 million ($650,000) reward on Saturday for information leading ...
reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australian-state-posts-a1-million-reward-fugitive-gunman-2025-09-06/
More than 100 properties searched in hunt for alleged killer Dezi Freeman: Police say more than 100 properties have been searched as the hunt continues for the ...
abc.net.au/news/2025-09-03/dezi-freeman-police-shooting-porepunkah-bright-business/105726120
Wife bombshell in search for fugitive: The wife of self-proclaimed sovereign citizen Dezi Freeman was present when he allegedly opened fire on police officers ...
news.com.au/national/victoria/crime/police-focus-on-shed-of-interest-as-manhunt-for-dezi-freeman-enters-ninth-day/news-story/ef6cd0852e08038a73932b9b24f570d0
‘People know’: Shock update in Freeman hunt: At least one other person could be hiding alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman, Victoria Police have sensationally ...
news.com.au/national/crime/hunt-for-alleged-cop-killer-dezi-freeman-ramps-up-on-seventh-day/news-story/e01a1ad06cb177bf743b33579e6ea1a7
Police officers shot dead in Australia named as manhunt for suspect continues: One of the officers, Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson ...
itv.com/news/2025-08-27/police-officers-shot-dead-in-australia-named-as-manhunt-for-suspect-continues
Key FactsOfficers Fatally Shot During Porepunkah Warrant Execution
Aug 27, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: abc.net.au
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: abc.net.au
- Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart died during a search warrant in Porepunkah.
- De Waart, fluent in four languages, joined the Public Order Response Team in 2023 and enjoyed scuba diving and motorcycling.
- The armed suspect, 56-year-old Dezi Freeman, remains at large and is considered highly dangerous.
- A third officer was injured, underwent surgery, and is currently stable as police continue their investigation and manhunt.
This devastating loss of Neal and Vadim has struck at the heart of Victoria Police, the broader policing family and the community of Porepunkah.— Chief Commissioner Mike Bush remembered the pair as brave and fine members.
Suspected Porepunkah gunman Dezi Freeman stripped of gun licence prior to police shooting
abc.net.au/news/2025-08-27/alleged-porepunkah-shooter-dezi-freeman-gun-licence/105704656
Cops swoop on home in hunt for alleged killer: Police have swarmed a Porepunkah street in the search for alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman.
news.com.au/national/victoria/crime/do-not-approach-search-for-heavily-armed-dezi-freeman-enters-third-day/news-story/2cb44d8706b1f843404ddcd1ec0d8a3b
Accused Porepunkah shooter and 'sovereign citizen' Dezi Freeman once called police 'terrorist thugs'
abc.net.au/news/2025-08-26/porepunkah-alleged-shooter-sovereign-citizen-dezi-freeman/105699366
Live: Police give update after Dezi Freeman's wife arrested and released: Police say they arrested, and later released, a 42-year-old woman and 15-year-old boy ...
abc.net.au/news/2025-08-29/live-updates-search-for-dezi-freeman-continues-in-porepunkah/105709730
Next